Can carrying device



June l, 1954 K. w. BURG-E CAN CARRYING DEVICE Filed April 26. 1950 Patented June 1, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

The present invention relates to a carrier, and more particularly to an inexpensive carrying device for a plurality ror" cans or containers.

In analyzing the sales appeal vof various products, and packaging and other factors, it has been found that sales are greatly increased if suitable packages are provided particularly in the instance vci certain canned goods. lt has been shown deiinitely that sales are stimulated where such products as tomato juice, fruit juice, beer and other beverages, which are put up in metal cans, are so arranged that the purchaser may conveniently pick up a plurality of cans with one hand.

One 'of the disadvantages oi packaging .however, is the total cost involved which includes the materials of which the package is made, and the labor required in order to fill the package with whatever is to be sold in packaged units.

More recently it has been found that six cans of liquid or beverage will sell more readily if the cans are placed in separate packages. The package merely serves as a convenient handling device from the shelf to the cart being pushed about the store in a self-service or super market. Thereafter, the package is placed in -a larger container or packed along with other purchases and the package is of no value until the larger package again is unpacked at the home of the consumer. Thereafter, the package usually is discarded.

In order to minimize the cost involved including the increased cost of labor, it is proposed in accordance with the present invention, to provide a relatively simple carrier which will hold together a plurality of `cans and which will not materially interfere with the normal shipping or packaging which is now customary in products of this kind.

In accordance with the present invention several variations are proposed, each o'f which is formed of relatively inexpensive paper or paper board. When the carrier has served .its purpose, it may be discarded with a .minimum o'i eilcrt since it is not necessary to close the carrier or otherwise tear it apart as is the case 'with present boxes.

It is therefore, an object of the present invention, to provide an improved carrier which is simple and economical to manufacture and use.

A still further object of the present invention is 'to provide a yconvenient readily disposable paper or paper board lcarrying device for a plurali'ty -of metal containers.

Other and further objects of vthe present invention subsequently will become apparent by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the following drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view oi a carrier cone structed in accordance with plans of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a View partially in cross-section as seen in the direction of the arrows along line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a view as seen in the direction of the arrows 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. l4 is a perspective View similar to Fig. 1 showing the arrangement of the components without the lcans being in position;

Fig. 5 is va detailed View showing the manner in which vthe band or belt is engaged; by the handle member; Y v

Fig. 6 shows a variation of the carrying device illustrated in the previous iigures; and

Fig. 7 is a detailed view showing the interlock ing vconstruction of the handle carrying device of Fig. 6.

It will be seen that in Fig. l a carrier device has been illustrated which conveniently holds I together in a single unitary package six cans ii,

each ci which has cylindrical side walls and a beaded top and bottom i2. More commonly, the beaded top i2 carries the technical `name of chime top, or bottom.

In the arrangement illustrated, it will be seen that the front row of cans H, I3, and i4, are engaged by a paper band or belt I5. The paper belt or band i5 engages the -cans H and Hi im mediately beneath the beaded upper edge or chime top l2. The lcan i3 has its beaded upper edge Ior 4chirne resting upon the top or chime of the corner cans I i and it. The cans in the back row likewise are similarly arranged so that the corner cans 16 and li support the center can i8.

The band consists ci an endless 4belt or tape of paper `which is lengaged. by a paper board handle member i9. The handle member i9 has a handle portion 2l, which has va suitable vcpening 22 for receiving lthe lingers of the hand. The opening 22 Aextends. down to a line extending along the supporting edge 23 adjacent the outer extremities ofthe paper board carrying memn ber 2l.

From Fig. 2 it is still `more evident that the center can, such as the can 4`it is supported by the end cans i6 and l1. The upper `chime yof thecan IB however rests upon the edge 23 of the handle member 2l. Likewise the endless belt .l5 engages the cans 11 .and `i6 immediately beneath the upper beaded `lor chime portion.

The arrangement illustrated in Fig. 4 clarifies the manner in which the handle member 2i, which is provided at each end with notches 24, engages the belt I 5 to form a paper carrying device. In assembling the carrier, the belt l5 is placed about a plurality of cans and then the cans which are arranged in two rows are separated by the insertion of the handle. This action on the rows of cans produces a tension in the belt i5. The handle 2l subsequently may be moved upwardly to expose the handle aperture 22, whereupon the entire device is ready for carrying.

In utilizing a carrier of this kind, one of the principal diiiculties usually given serious consideration is the matter of providing a carrier which will permit the containers to be stacked on the shelves and which also will not interfere with the present normal packaging methods.

In the case of tomato juice, malt beverages, and the like, it is of course known that the cans are usually packaged in units which are multiples of 12. The arrangement illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 has in mind providing a smaller package of six cans. It of course will be appreciated that an even smaller package of four cans might be constructed in accordance with the principles outlined by the present invention.

Preferably the notch 24 which engages the endless belt l5 is so arranged that the upward movement of the handle member 2i causes the two rows of cans to be moved outwardly from each other and at the same time the notches 24 tend to push the belt l5 inwardly into the spaces between the two rows of cans. It also will be appreciated that the carrier illustrated is capable of carrying six cans which are provided with crown caps.

In another embodiment of the present invention such as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, it is proposed to employ a tape or band I5 which surrounds the six cans. The six cans however, are separated from each other by a carrier or handle member 3i preferably formed of paper board or light sheet material which has two cross members 32 and 33. The handle member 3i is provided with a plurality of notches 34, which are arranged for cooperation with other notches 35 in each of the cross members, such as the cross member 32. This arrangement is illustrated in Fig. '7.

In utilizing the carrier shown in Figs. 6 and 7, each of the upper edges of the cross members 32 and 33, together with the upper edge 36 of the handle 3|, is arranged to engage the underside oi the beaded top or chime of each of the cans, thus each of the cans supported by the carrying device illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, is engaged at two different points underneath the bead or chime by the relatively stili paper board structure comprising the handle 3i with its cross members 32 and 33. The cans furthermore are engaged by the endless belt l5 which surrounds all or" the cans and holds them in position in the cubicles formed by the handle 3l and the cross members 32 and 33.

The endless belt i5 is so arranged that prior to the time that the handle 3l is raised upwardly, the belt I 5 is reasonably tight about the cans. The subsequent insertion of the paper board separators Si, 32, and 33 places such tension upon the belt i5 that the cans are carried with adequate safety from place to place.

While for the purpose of illustration and descripton of the present invention. certain preferred embodiments have been shown in the drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereby, since such Variations are contemplated as may be commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. A carrier for two rows of metal containers, having cylindrical sides and beaded tops and bottoms, comprising a single band of flexible paper closely surrounding said cans immediately beneath their tops, a paper board handle arranged between said rows of cans to engage adjacent cans in opposite rows immediately beneath the top thereof, said handle having notches at the top edge for receiving said paper tape.

2. A carrier for six metal cans arranged in two rows, said cans having cylindrical sides and chime tops and bottoms, comprising a single continuous band or" flexible paper closely surrounding said cans immediately beneath the chimes, a paper board handle arranged between said rows of cans to engage portions oi the chimes of certain cans in opposite rows when moved upwardly, said handle member adjacent the exterior thereof having notches for receiving said paper band, said rows of cans being displaced by said handle when moved upwardly thereby to cause said tape to be tightened about said cans.

3. A carrier for two rows of cylindrical metal cans having beaded tops and bottoms comprising a single endless paper belt closely surrounding said rows of cans in the vicinity of their tops, a handle member of relatively stiff sheet material, said handle member being inserted and and extending between said rows oi cans to displace said rows to cause tension to be present in said belt, said handle member engaging the portions oi the majority of the beaded tops of said cans whereby the said carrier may be used to lift said rows of cans.

4. A carrier for two rows of cylindrical metal cans having beaded tops and bottoms comprising a single endless paper belt closely surrounding 7 said rows of cans in the vicinity of their tops,

a handle member of relatively stiff sheet material positioned between and extending between said rows of cans, said handle member engaging portions oi the beaded portions of the tops of the four corner cans whereby said handle member supports said cans and said carrier may be used for carrying said cans.

5. A. carrier for two rows of cylindrical metal cans having beaded tops and bottoms comprising a single endless paper belt closely surrounding said rows of cans, in the vicinity of their tops,

a handle member of stiii sheet material hav-l ing two cross members carried thereby, said handle member and cross members being inserted between said rows of cans and between individual cans in said rows, thereby to displace said cans from their original positions to cause tension to be present in said belt, said handle and cross members engaging portions of the beaded tops of adjacent cans whereby said cans may be supported by said carrier.

References Cited in the i'lle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 162,515 Burge Mar. 20, 1951 2,301,167 Cosme Nov. 3, 1942. 2,372,871 Whitacre Apr. 3, 1945. 2,405,753 Morgan Aug. 13, 194:6 

